Natural Sites

Blueways

Lake Apopka

Lake Apopka was once the second largest lake in Florida and one of the top spots in the world for freshwater sport fishing. At one time there were at least 21 fish camps on the shore of the lake. The water was so clear that it was said that a fisherman could look in the water and pick out the fish he wanted to catch. Massive drainage of wetlands for agriculture decreased the size of Lake Apopka and waste discharges from local municipalities, industry, and nutrient laden runoff from farms turned the lake pea green with algae and doomed the sport fishing industry. Due to legislation enacted in 1996, the St. John’s River Water Management District has embarked on a 25 to 50 year, $185 million project to restore the lake to a Class III water body. Currently boating, fishing and canoeing are popular on Lake Apopka as restoration efforts continue.

North Shore Restoration Area

The St. Johns River Water Management District’s North Shore Restoration Area is composed of 20,068 acres on the northern shore of Lake Apopka. Most of the Restoration Area is composed of former muck farms, which were once either marsh or lake bottom.

More than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails cross the area. Visitors can also experience the wildlife via the Wildlife Drive along the eastern end (generally open Friday through Sunday and Federal holidays). Multiple observation towers can be accessed in the Clay Island area. Trailheads include Clay Island, North Shore, Magnolia Park and the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead.

Nature Parks & Trails

Scenic Vistas

One of the most amazing things about the Green Mountain Scenic Byway are the vistas, nature’s décor! At the north end of the byway and just minutes from Orlando, Sugarloaf Mountain boasts some of the best views of the Lake Apopka region. Yes, there is a mountain in Florida! Sugarloaf Mountain is the highest point in peninsular Florida at 312 feet above sea level, and the stunning views are worth the trip.

The byway continues through a lowland hammock known originally as Compton’s Hammock. The hammock has also become known as the Cabbage Patch, after a notorious roadhouse of that name that was located among the cabbage palms in the hammock back in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Large oaks, maples and sweet gums line the road, and rare Needle Palms, hapidophyllum hystrix, are found along the right-of-way.

Endangered Species

Warea amplexifolia

Clitoria fragrans

If you look hard you can see many different varieties, Clasping Warea (Warea amplexifolia) and Scrub Pigeon-Wing (Clitoria fragrans), are just a few of the endangered plant species you can find along the Byway.

Both plants are U.S. and Florida State listed endangered on the Ferndale Ridge, part of the Lake Wales Ridge within the corridor. Pigeon-wings have been found in Orange County but have not been found in Lake since 1910. These plants are threatened by the loss of habitat. Photo of the Warea courtesy of Ed Gonzalez, Ferndale. Photo of the Pigeon-wings courtesy of Ramona Phipps, Oakland.

Oakland Nature Preserve

The Oakland Nature Preserve’s vision is to, “promote understanding of the fragile balances among land, water, mankind, and the environment by EDUCATING present and future generations about the natural systems of the Lake Apopka Basin and by RESTORING and CONSERVING the lands within the Preserve.” The Preserve encompasses approximately 150 acres of land – 48 acres of uplands and 100+ acres of forested wetlands – and includes a boardwalk to Lake Apopka with a classroom-sized pavilion on the lakefront, and a pavilion on the West Orange Trail.

Interpretive signs through the Preserve help visitors identify plant species, while our log cabin-style Education Center, modeled after a pioneer homestead, includes a classroom, museum, office, and restrooms.

In addition to providing a window to the ongoing restoration of Lake Apopka, the Preserve features diverse biological, geological, and topographical features, rapidly vanishing in Central Florida. The Preserve also offers recreational and educational opportunities in a living classroom, perfect for learning about the ecology of Florida.

We offer memberships, field trips, guided tours, summer camps and programs for visitors. Volunteers are welcome to assist with everything from visitor tours to restoration projects, and donations are greatly appreciated.

The Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT)

The Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT) is a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, supported in part by the Florida Department of Transportation and the Wildlife Foundation of Florida. This 2000-mile, self-guided highway trail is a collection of 489 birding sites throughout Florida selected for their excellent birding or bird education opportunities. The GFBT is designed to conserve and enhance Florida’s bird habitat by promoting birding activities, conservation education and economic opportunity.

Ferndale Preserve

The 192-acre Ferndale Preserve is located on the western shore of Lake Apopka. It offers equestrian, multi-purpose, and hiking trails, all with amazing views of Lake Apopka as well as a playground and informational kiosk. The preserve, once an orange grove is being restored to a longleaf pine-wiregrass ecosystem. There are many plant and animal species to be observed, even some endangered tree species. Lake County’s Park Rangers lead regularly scheduled nature hikes along with bird and butterfly surveys. The preserve has plans for a fishing pier, kayak/canoe launch, observation tower, a scenic pavilion, and a boardwalk through the wet deciduous woodland.

West Orange Trail

The West Orange Trail is a 22-mile world-class rail-trail, which travels through the communities of Oakland, Winter Garden and Apopka just minutes from Orlando. It also connects with the South Lake Trail heading west. Some things to see on the trail are a xeriscape/butterfly garden about a mile east of the Oakland Outpost, the Winter Garden Historical Museum and beautiful views of Lake Apopka. The trail also provides access to Clarcona Horseman’s Park, with an equestrian staging area for their visit. The West Orange trail is a significant segment of the nearly-completed Lake Apopka Loop trail and will also be a component of the 250 mile Coast to Coast Trail that will connect St Petersburg to Titusville.

The South Lake Trail

The 12.6-mile South Lake Trail connects to the 22-mile West Orange Trail at the Killarney Station Trailhead, which is located on the Byway in Oakland. The trail then connects to the 6.1-mile Hancock Trail. The South Lake Trail is a segment of the Coast to Coast Trail. South Lake and Hancock Trails are also part of the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. These trails provide access to the Cooper Memorial Library, the Minneola Athletic Complex, Minneola Trailhead Park, as well as parks in Clermont including Waterfront Park and the Lake Hiawatha Preserve.

Lake Apopka Loop Trail

The Lake Apopka Loop Trail (14.6 miles, partially paved) links Magnolia Park in Orange County to the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook in Lake County via trails across the Lake Apopka North Shore. Segments on either end are in various planning stages to complete the full loop around the lake.

Trout Lake Nature Center

Founded in 1988 by the Oklawaha Valley Audubon Society, the Trout Lake Nature Center (TLNC) mission is to conserve and protect the natural environment and to educate the community about its importance.

This 230 acre nature center is located in Eustis and is the point where two watersheds join together. Water flow filters through a variety of wetland habitats to flow into Trout Lake which empties into Lake Eustis. Through a variety of programs TLNC works to educate and engage the community in protecting Florida natural communities.

Walking along its nature trails, traveling along the boardwalk or visiting the museum and education building gives visitors unique insights into Florida wildlife and habitats.

About The Byway

The Green Mountain Scenic Byway is located in the center of the state close to Orlando, but feels far from the bustle of city life. With its rolling hills and rural charm, Green Mountain Scenic Byway is a place known for wildlife sighting, historical small towns, and outdoor recreation.